• ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.orgEnglish
    0·
    6 days ago

    Before someone asks why so much current to earth: blue N wires are connected to it too, so it’s the PEN pole of the mostly obsolete but still very common TN-C system. Such current to PE would instantly trip GFCI/RCD in a modern TN-C-S system, now it’s just overcurrent through some appliance or wiring gone short circuit and non-compliant breaker/fuse that failed to trip.

    • Etterra@discuss.onlineEnglish
      0·
      7 days ago

      There’s a positive wire touching where it shouldn’t be. The metal object, whatever it is, leads to ground, completing a circuit. Metal acts as resistance, converting electricity to heat and light - like the filaments in a toaster or an electric heater. This can also create sparks. Either way it’s a sure way to cause a fire. If the metal is thin or melts at a low temperature, or the electricity is high voltage, the metal can melt, causing leaks. Cold liquid coming in contact with hot metal can flash to steam and possibly cause an pressure explosion or worse, depending on if there’s gas or other flammable stuff in the environment. It’s also an electrocution hazard.

      This can happen if summer critter gets in there and chews open a wire. That’s what usually causes actual electric fires.

  • Mpatch@lemmy.world
    0·
    7 days ago

    That’s the system on light before the days of light bulbs. Quite the vintage set up you got there.